Ravi Vakil - Virginia Mathematics Lectures - September 8-10, 2025

Event start date: Monday, September 8, 2025

Virginia Mathematics Lectures »
Ravi Vakil

Ravi Vakil (Stanford University and AMS)
  • Lecture 1 - The Mathematics of Doodling: Monday, September 8, 2025 | 5-6pm | Wilson 402
  • Lecture 2 - Topology from Algebraic Geometry: Tuesday, September 9, 2025 | 5-6pm | Wilson 402
  • Town Hall with the AMS President: Wednesday, September 10, 2025 | 3:30-5pm | Minor 125

Lecture 1: The Mathematics of Doodling

Date: Monday, September 8, 2025 | 5-6pm
Location: Wilson 402
Abstract: Doodling is a creative and fundamentally human activity, resulting in doodles with intricate and often hidden implicit structure. We will treat doodles as an example for how mathematics is done — by starting with some doodles, we will ask ourselves some natural questions and see where they take us. They will lead us to some unexpected places, and to some sophisticated mathematics.

Lecture 2: Topology from Algebraic Geometry

Date: Tuesday, September 9, 2025 | 5-6pm
Location: Wilson 402
Abstract: One of the magical parts of being a mathematician is seeing how different fields of mathematics are intertwined. Sometimes a surprising fact in one field comes from an insight in another. I will give some examples of the philosophy that when geometry comes from algebra or arithmetic, the topology can be unexpectedly constrained, which lets you prove results by "cutting and pasting". I will conclude by trying to indicate how Bott periodicity (which I won't assume you understand) is a fact about algebra, not analysis. I will discuss work of a number of mathematicians, including Melanie Wood, Aaron Landesman, Hannah Larson, Jim Bryan, and more. (This talk is intended as a survey for a broad audience.)

Town Hall with the AMS President

Date: Wednesday, September 10, 2025 | 3:30-5pm
Location: Minor 125

The Virginia Mathematics Lectures are supported by the University of Virginia Department of Mathematics and the Institute of Mathematical Sciences.

Last updated: Friday, July 18, 2025